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Program Requirements
The Life Sciences (Biological and Agricultural) Major provides a strong foundation in the basic biological sciences. It will prepare graduates for careers in the agricultural, environmental, health, and biotechnological fields. Graduates with high academic achievement may go on to postgraduate studies in research, or professional programs in the biological, veterinary, medical, and health sciences fields.
Program Director: Professor Anwar Naseem
Academic Adviser: Dr. Julie Major
Raymond Building, Room 2-021c
Telephone: 514-398-8380
Program Prerequisites
Please refer to Faculty Information and Regulations > Minimum Credit Requirements, in this publication for prerequisites and minimum credit requirements.
Required Courses (27 credits)
* Other appropriate Statistics courses may be approved as substitutes by the Program Director.
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AEBI 210 Organisms 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Agric & Envir Sc) : The biology of plants and plant-based systems in managed and natural terrestrial environments. The interactions between autotrophs and soil organisms and selected groups of animals with close ecological and evolutionary connections with plants (e.g., herbivores and pollinators) will be explored in lecture and laboratory.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Singh, Jaswinder (Fall)
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PLNT 201 or PLNT 211
- 2 hour lecture and 3 hour lab
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AEBI 211 Organisms 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Agric & Envir Sc) : Introduction to the biology, physiology, structure and function of heterotrophs and their interactions with other organisms. This course will focus on animals in terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments. Topics include bioenergetics and functional metabolism, adaptations to environments, animal-animal, animal-plant, and animal-pathogen interactions.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Lewis, David James (Winter)
- Winter
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken WILD 200
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AEBI 212 Evolution and Phylogeny (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Agric & Envir Sc) : A phylogenetic-based overview of the tree of life and examination of relationships between major taxa, from bacteria and archaea to eukaryotes. Evolution will be discussed via topics including: evolution by natural selection, neo-Darwinism and alternatives, myths and misconceptions in evolution, species and speciation.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Wheeler, Terry A (Winter)
- Winter
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken WILD 212.
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AEHM 205 Science Literacy (3 credits)
Overview
English (Agric & Envir Sc) : Development of English language and information literacy. Problem-based approach using science topics from specializations offered by the Faculty will be central to skill development. The course includes how to research and compose work in scientific format and will encourage a reader-oriented style.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011
Instructors: Newman, Carole; Waters, Natalie Heather (Fall) Newman, Carole; Waters, Natalie Heather (Winter)
- Students whose first language is not English are encouraged to register for ESLN 299, ESL: Academic English Seminar, or equivalent, prior to starting their program.
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AEMA 310 Statistical Methods 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Mathematics (Agric&Envir Sci) : Measures of central tendency and dispersion; binomial and Poisson distributions; normal, chi-square, Student's t and Fisher-Snedecor F distributions; estimation and hypothesis testing; simple linear regression and correlation; analysis of variance for simple experimental designs.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011
Instructors: Dutilleul, Pierre R L; Bona, Kelly Ann (Fall) Dutilleul, Pierre R L (Winter)
- Two 1.5-hour lectures and one 2-hour lab
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LSCI 202 Molecular Cell Biology (3 credits)
Overview
Life Sciences : Organization and function of intracellular organelles in eukaryotic cells. Mechanisms of membrane transport. Protein sorting and vesicular transport. Cytoskeleton. DNA and chromosome structure. DNA replication. Mechanisms of RNA and protein synthesis. Control of gene expression. Cell cycle and the control of cell division. Mechanisms of cell communication and signal transduction. Apoptosis. Neuronal signaling.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Ribeiro, A Paula; Beech, Robin N (Winter)
- Prerequisites: FDSC 211 or LSCI 211
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken AEBI 202
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LSCI 204 Genetics (3 credits)
Overview
Life Sciences : The course integrates classical, molecular and population genetics of animals, plants, bacteria and viruses. The aim is to understand the flow of genetic information within a cell, within families and in populations. Emphasis will be placed on problem solving based learning. The laboratory exercises will emphasize the interpretation of genetic experimental data.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Charron, Jean-Benoit (Winter)
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken CELL 204.
- Pre- or Co-requisite: FDSC 211 or LSCI 211
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LSCI 211 Biochemistry 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Life Sciences : Biochemistry of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids; enzymes and coenzymes. Introduction to intermediary metabolism.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011
Instructors: Salavati, Reza (Fall) Jardim, Armando (Winter)
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken FDSC 211
- Co-requisite: FDSC 230
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LSCI 230 Introductory Microbiology (3 credits)
Overview
Life Sciences : The occurrence and importance of microorganisms (especially bacteria) in the biosphere. Principles governing growth, death and metabolic activities of microorganisms. An introduction to the microbiology of soil, water, plants, food, man and animals.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Winter
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MICR 230.
Complementary Courses (15 credits)
15 credits of the complementary courses selected from:
*MIMM 324 is taught at Downtown campus.
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AEBI 451 Research Project 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Biology (Agric & Envir Sc) : A research project on a topic relevant to the fields of Environmental Biology or Life Sciences. This course is intended for senior undergraduates.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011
Instructors: Driscoll, Brian T; Whyte, Lyle (Fall) Driscoll, Brian T; Whyte, Lyle (Winter)
- Fall and Winter
- Prerequisite(s): AEHM 205 and permission of instructor.
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken MICR 481.
- Enrolment is limited by availability of research project supervisors. Students should make arrangements with a willing supervisor, and the proposed supervisor and project are subject to approval. Recommended for students in their final year (U3).
- Minimum 3.0 CGPA
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AEBI 491 Scientific Communication (1 credit)
Overview
Biology (Agric & Envir Sc) : Students will research and present a seminar on an approved topic, with the goal of developing their research and oral presentation skills. Presentations will include elements of the experimental science method (goals, hypotheses, methods, results, interpretations) and detailed coverage of at least one experiment.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Fall and Winter
- Prerequisite: AEHM 205
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken NRSC 491 or NRSC 492 or NRSC 391
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AEHM 330 Academic and Scientific Writing (3 credits)
Overview
English (Agric & Envir Sc) : The object of the course is to enable students who have previously mastered the basic elements of written English to produce well-written, well-researched, and well-documented scientific papers for an academic audience.
Terms: Fall 2010, Winter 2011
Instructors: Newman, Carole (Fall) Newman, Carole (Winter)
- 3 hours
- Prerequisite: entrance test.
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ANSC 234 Biochemistry 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Metabolism in humans and domestic animals. The chemistry of alimentary digestion, absorption, transport, intermediary metabolism and excretion.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Martin, Deborah; Zhao, Xin (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
- Prerequisite: FDSC 211 or LSCI 211
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ANSC 250 Principles of Animal Science (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Introduction to the scientific principles underlying the livestock and poultry industries. Emphasis will be placed on the breeding, physiology and nutrition of animals raised for the production of food and fibre.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Wade, Kevin (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 lectures and one 2-hour lab
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ANSC 251 Comparative Anatomy (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Study of the macroscopic anatomy of mammals based on detailed dissection of the dog. Comparison with other domestic species will be emphasized.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Laurin, Denyse (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
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ANSC 324 Developmental Biology and Reproduction (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Focus on the hormonal, cellular and molecular aspects of reproduction and development (gametogenesis, folliculogenesis, fertilization, embryonic and foetal development, parturition, lactation period, periods before and after puberty). Emphasis on underlying cellular mechanisms and their regulation by hormones and the environment.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Kimmins, Sarah; Duggavathi, Raj (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
- Prerequisites: FDSC 211 or LSCI 211, and ANSC 323
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ANSC 326 Fundamentals of Population Genetics (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Population genetics mechanisms in mammals, birds and plant. Factors influencing gene, genotype, and phenotypic frequencies. Effects of different types of selection, Hardy-Weinberg, linkage and recombination, polymorphisms and heterozygosity, population size, random drift and inbreeding on gene and genotype frequencies. Relationship between quantitative genetic parameters and gene frequencies.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Fall
- Prerequisites: AEMA 310 or equivalent or permission of instructor and CELL 204 or LSCI 204 or equivalent or permission of instructor.
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ANSC 330 Fundamentals of Nutrition (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : A discussion of the nutrients; water, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, minerals and vitamins, with particular emphasis on their functions in and essentially for the animal organism.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Mustafa, Arif (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 lectures
- Prerequisite(s): FDSC 211 or LSCI 211 and ANSC 234 (ANSC 234 pre-req applies to students in B.Sc. Nutritional Sciences only).
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ANSC 420 Animal Biotechnology (3 credits)
Overview
Animal Science : Applications of animal biotechnology in agriculture, biomedicine and environmental preservation, including culture, manipulation and transformation of somatic cells, isolation of stem cells, reproductive biotechnologies, animal cloning by nuclear transplantation, production of transgenic animals, and cell and gene therapies.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Bordignon, Vilceu (Fall)
- Fall
- Prerequisites: AEBI 202 or LSCI 202 and MICR 230 or LSCI 230
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BINF 301 Introduction to Bioinformatics (3 credits)
Overview
Bioinformatics : Introduces analysis of DNA, RNA and protein sequences using computer software. Emphasis on implementation of molecular evolution theory for algorithms to make predictions of sequence function and infer the evolutionary history of sequences. Assessing analysis reliability and methods to improve efficiency of computer algorithms and their implications are discussed.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Beech, Robin N (Winter)
- Prerequisite(s): LSCI 202 or LSCI 204, and ANSC 326
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken BTEC 501.
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BTEC 306 Experiments in Biotechnology (3 credits)
Overview
Biotechnology : Practical laboratory-based research experience. Techniques in cellular and molecular biology, designing experiments and developing skills in interpretation and communication of experimental results.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Charron, Jean-Benoit (Fall)
- Fall
- Prerequisite(s): AEBI 202 or LSCI 202 and CELL 204 or LSCI 204 or permission of instructor.
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken AEBI 306.
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ENVB 222 St. Lawrence Ecosystems (3 credits)
Overview
Environmental Biology : Integrative field course about the biological diversity and ecology of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems within St Lawrence lowlands and adjacent realms. Natural history and systematics of regional flora and fauna and interactions between organisms and their physical environment. Fundamentals of ecosystem and landscape ecology.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Buddle, Christopher (Fall)
- Fall
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MICR 331 Microbial Ecology (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology (Agric&Envir Sc) : The ecology of microorganisms, primarily bacteria and archaea, and their roles in biogeochemical cycles will be discussed. Microbial interactions with the environment, plants, animals and other microbes emphasizing the underlying genetics and physiology. Diversity, evolution (microbial phylogenetics) and the application of molecular biology in microbial ecology.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Driscoll, Brian T (Winter)
- Winter
- Restriction: Not open to students who have successfully completed NRSC 331
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MIMM 324 Fundamental Virology (3 credits)
Overview
Microbiology and Immun (Sci) : A study of the fundamental properties of viruses and their interactions with host cells. Bacteriophages, DNA- and RNA-containing animal viruses, and retroviruses are covered. Emphasis will be on phenomena occurring at the molecular level and on the regulated control of gene expression in virus-infected cells.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Gotte, Matthias; Teodoro, Jose Guerreiro; Archambault, Jacques (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 hours of lecture
- Prerequisites: MIMM 211, BIOL 200, BIOL 201 or BIOC 212
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NRSC 333 Pollution and Bioremediation (3 credits)
Overview
Natural Resource Sciences : The environmental contaminants which cause pollution; sources, amounts and transport of pollutants in water, air and soil; waste management.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Whyte, Lyle; Hendershot, William H (Fall)
- Fall
- 3 lectures
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken WILD 333
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PARA 438 Immunology (3 credits)
Overview
Parasitology : An in-depth analysis of the principles of cellular and molecular immunology. The emphasis of the course is on host defence against infection and on diseases caused by abnormal immune responses.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Dzierszinski, Florence (Fall)
- 3 lectures per week
- Prerequisites: AEBI 202 or LSCI 202 or permission of instructor
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PLNT 203 Economic Botany (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Study of plants which are useful or harmful to humans, their origins and history, botanical relationships, chemical constituents which make them economically important; their roles in prehistoric and modern cultures and civilization and possible impact in the future.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Watson, Alan K (Fall)
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PLNT 304 Biology of Fungi (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : This course describes the various groups of fungi and explores in depth their biology and physiology, their ecological niches and the role in various ecosystems and their benefits and uses in industry and biotechnology.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Ajjamada, Kushalappa (Winter)
- 3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
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PLNT 315 Herbs and Medicinal Plants (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Biochemistry and ecophysiology of the active ingredients in medicinal plants. Links between cultivation practices and plant compounds. The effect of propagation and environmental factors on active compounds are examined using greenhouse experiments, followed by quantification of active ingredients by analytical techniques and analysis of bioactivity.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2010-2011 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2010-2011 academic year.
- Prerequisite: AEBI 210 or PLNT 201 or permission of instructor.
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PLNT 353 Plant Structure and Function (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : The general anatomy and physiology of vascular plants with emphasis on the cells, tissues, organs, chemical components of plants and the physiological processes associated with their function.
Terms: Fall 2010
Instructors: Bede, Jacqueline (Fall)
- Fall
- 2 lectures and one 3-hour lab
- Prerequisites: PLNT 201 or AEBI 210 and FDSC 211 or LSCI 211
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PLNT 424 Cellular Regulation (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : An overview of the cellular mechanisms used by prokaryotes and eukaryotes to regulate biosynthetic pathways. Topics covered range from control of gene transcription to the regulation of enzyme activity to the role of signal transduction pathways in the control of metabolic flux through cellular pathways.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Bede, Jacqueline (Winter)
- Prerequisites: FDSC 211 or LSCI 211, AEBI 202 or LSCI 202 or permission of the instructor.
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PLNT 426 Plant Ecophysiology (3 credits)
Overview
Plant Science : Investigates of the complex interactions between plants and their environment, focusing on the mechanisms underlying plant physiological processes. Plasticity of plants to their ecological environment; topics include phytoremediation, plant stress responses, plant-symbiosis and plant-insect interactions.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Bede, Jacqueline (Winter)
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WILD 375 Issues: Environmental Sciences (3 credits)
Overview
Resource Development : Principles and trends in global ecology as they pertain to agricultural and natural ecosystems and the impact of environmental change on food production.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Lewis, David James (Winter)
- Winter
- 3 lectures
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WILD 424 Parasitology (3 credits)
Overview
Resource Development : Systematics, morphology, biology and ecology of parasitic protozoa, flatworms, roundworms and arthropods with emphasis on economically and medically important species.
Terms: Winter 2011
Instructors: Rohrbach, Petra (Winter)
- Winter
- 2 lectures and one 3-hour lab
- Restriction: Not open to students who have taken WILD 424 (formerly ZOOL 424).
Specialization
At least one specialization of 18-24 credits from:
Specializations designed to be taken with the Life Sciences (Biological and Agricultural) Major:
- Animal Biology
- Animal Health and Disease
- Health and Nutrition
- Life Sciences (Multidisciplinary)
- Microbiology and Molecular Biotechnology
- Plant Biology
- Wildlife Biology
Note: For a complete list of specializations offered for students in the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, please refer to "Academic Programs" > "Bachelor of Science (Agricultural and Environmental Sciences) - B.Sc.(Ag.Env.Sc.)" > "Specializations", in this publication.
Electives
To meet the minimum credit requirement for the degree.
Faculty of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences—2010-2011 (last updated Jan. 19, 2011) (disclaimer)